Abstract: A system for controlling a trapezoidally (square wave) driven DC motor includes a unipolar commutation circuit coupled between a DC power supply and a brushless DC motor. The motor has three phases formed by respective stator windings coupled at respective proximal ends to a common node and having respective opposite ends remote from the common node. The commutation circuit drives the motor according to a commutation cycle including three primary steps. During each primary step, one of the phases is driven while the other two phases are not driven. Voltages at the remote ends of the undriven phases are sensed, and timing signals are generated at points where the voltages coincide. The timing signals are used to determine motor position and speed, and to synchronize the commutation cycle with motor position and speed. In one embodiment, the commutation cycle includes transitional steps between the primary steps for smoother operation.

Abstract: The invention compositions comprising a continuous hydrophobic phase and liposomes as a vehicle for delivery of an antigen capable of inducing a cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) response and methods for their use in the treatment of cancer.

Abstract: A controller is provided for operating a DC motor through a commutation circuit and for synchronizing the commutation circuit to motor position and speed by measuring back EMF voltages along commutation cycle steps during which the measured phase is not being driven. In connection with each such step, the back EMF voltage is measured at two points offset from the center of the step. The controller uses the measured voltages and their corresponding locations to locate the center point of the step through extrapolation. The motor can be analyzed for determining suitable locations for the measuring points.

Abstract: A commutation circuit for driving a brushless DC motor is controlled according to a commutation cycle composed of alternating primary steps and transitional steps. The commutation circuit includes pairs of field effect transistors coupled in series between the high voltage and low voltage terminals of a DC power supply. Output terminals between each pair of transistors are individually coupled to the phases of a DC motor. A controller operates the commutation circuit to selectively set the phases at active and inactive states. The controller further employs a plurality of voltage control functions individually associated with the motor phases to selectively modulate the voltage applied to one of the phases during the active states, to provide transitional steps in the commutation cycle during which the applied voltage is modulated to reduce its magnitude with respect to the high voltage or the low voltage.

Abstract: Modifying factors are calculated using pre-factors that are identified as influencing a baseline calculation. The modifying factors are applied to the baseline calculation to more accurately forecast the effect of real market forces as identified by the pre-factors on a baseline.

Abstract: Omapatrilat (I) is a potent inhibitor of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) and neutral endopeptidase (NEP) both in vitro and in vivo and is currently undergoing large scale clinical trials as an anti-hypertensive. Omapatrilat may be synthesized using the S-stereoisomer of a racemic mixture. The racemic mixture may be prepared from a hydantoin (III). The hydantoin may be prepared from a novel dinitrile compound (IV): The dinitrile may be produced by reacting a monoacetal with a non-carbonate ammonium salt and an alkali cyanide.

Abstract: Copolymers of tetrafluoroethylene and ethylene having modifiers comprising perfluoro(alkyl vinyl ether) have low melting points. The copolymers also have low flex modulus.

Abstract: The inventive cylindrical cartridges are installed in machinery for purposes of isolating vibration of conventional rolling element bearings from major machinery components. Two inventive cartridges are concentrically coupled with a rolling element bearing, one cartridge fitting circumferentially inside the bearing's inner ring, the other cartridge fitting circumferentially outside the bearing's outer ring. Each inventive cartridge comprises inner and outer concentric cylindrical metallic pieces and an intermediate filling which includes two lateral circumferential elastomeric bands separated by a medial circumferential air gap. The inventive cartridges can be inexpensively fabricated and can be permanently integrated with existing machinery.

Abstract: A device for measuring relative viscosity includes a fluid reservoir, a stirrer, and a sensing system. The stirrer has two members, with one member being more bendable than the other. When the stirrer is moving, the sensing system detects a differential bend between the members; the differential bend is related to the viscosity of a fluid in the fluid reservoir. The sensing system includes two spaced sensors which detect when magnets on the members pass the sensors. A timer provides a time lapsed between passage of one of the members past a sensor and passage of the other member past the other sensor. The time lapsed is related to the viscosity of the fluid in the fluid reservoir. A controller automatically controls the addition of a solvent to the fluid within the fluid reservoir; the addition of the solvent is dependent on the time lapsed.

Abstract: A handheld low voltage machining tool with which any one or more of drilling, milling, and abrading operations can be safely performed even on densely populated, multilayer, circuit boards. Provisions are made for preventing electrical overstress by isolating the tip of the machining tool from the drive motor as well as for preventing abrupt starting of the tool which can cause jerking, jumping or skipping of the tool off of the target. Still further, dynamic braking of the tool bit is achieved, both upon release of an operator actuated control switch and due to a selected conductive layer being reached. For the latter effect, a probe is provided by which a low voltage can be delivered to a component or conductor on the board, and circuitry detects grounding of this voltage by contact with the grounded bit of the machining tool.

Abstract: A railway traffic control system in which accurate vehicle information is effectively available in real-time to facilitate control of traffic flow. Unlike prior art methods of precisely monitoring train location, the current invention is dependant only on equipment on-board the vehicle and position updates provided by external benchmarks located along the track route. The system's dynamic motion capabilities can also be used to sense and store track rail signatures, as a function of rail distance, which can be routinely analyzed to assist in determining rail and road-bed conditions for preventative maintenance purposes. In presently preferred embodiments, the on-board vehicle information detection equipment comprises an inertial measurement unit providing dynamic vehicle motion information to a position processor.

Abstract: A paper sleeve and system for application as an insulated riser in a sand mold used to cast metal articles is disclosed. The sleeve, preferably cylindrical, is formed from a plurality of sheets of paper wrapped around one another with, preferably, a space between the edges of each sheet to provide a plurality of spaces or openings extending through the sleeve. Each sheet is treated with a precise amount of fire retardant. The sleeve for a given time period acts as an insulator keeping metal therein liquid until the metal solidifies in the article forming cavity of the sand mold and thereafter decomposes or reduces itself to a harmless carbon ash. The sleeve can function to both feed liquid metal to the article forming cavity in a sand mold and also to supply additional liquid metal to the article cavity upon solidification of the metal therein to eliminate the need for separate risers as now required in conventional foundry practice.

Abstract: A tweezer-type heating device for installation and removal device of electronic components with respect to a substrate, such as for SMC installation and through hole installation or removal. More specifically, a handheld tweezer-type heating device is provided in which a wide variety of different sized (and shaped) tips can be used with a high degree of accuracy in terms of thermo/mechanical contact. Tolerances in the parts of the handpiece, the assembly, the heaters and the tips that may bring the bottom edges of the tips out of their alignment plane are very easily corrected with an adjustable hinge which, by loosening of a screw and sliding the parts with respect to each other, allows proper alignment to be achieved. Still further, a thumb screw is provided at the back of the handpiece to allow the gap between the tips to be slightly opened or closed. This is useful in accommodating tolerances in the components.

Abstract: A paper sleeve and system for application as an insulated riser in a sand mold used to cast metal articles is disclosed. The sleeve, preferably cylindrical, is formed from a plurality of sheets of paper wrapped around one another with, preferably, a space between the edges of each sheet to provide a plurality of spaces or openings extending through the sleeve. Each sheet is treated with a precise amount of fire retardant. The sleeve for a given time period acts as an insulator keeping metal therein liquid until the metal solidifies in the article forming cavity of the sand mold and thereafter decomposes or reduces itself to a harmless carbon ash. The sleeve can function to both feed liquid metal to the article forming cavity in a sand mold and also to supply additional liquid metal to the article cavity upon solidification of the metal therein to eliminate the need for separate risers as now required in conventional foundry practice.

Abstract: Apparatus for soldering and desoldering an electronic component to or from a printed circuit board includes an alignment station and a soldering/desoldering station. The printed circuit board is mounted upon an adjusable X-Y table which can be indexed between the alignment station and the soldering/desoldering station. To align an electronic component with respect to th PCB, a vacuum pickup device is operated at the alignment station to pickup and support the component within an optical field of view above the PCB and the X-Y table is adjusted in X, Y and .theta. directions with respect to the component. Upon alignment of the component, the pickup device is lowered to temporarily adhere the component to the PCB by an adhesive flux. Thereafter, the X-Y table is indexed to a preset position below a hot air soldering nozzle and the component soldered in a known manner. A rotary device for shearing a defective electronic device from a PCB is also attached to the bottom of the soldering/desoldering nozzle.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method and apparatus for removing and installing surface mounted devices (SMD's) with respect to a substrate such as a printed circuit board (PCB).

Abstract: An Adaptive Kalman Filtering scheme for statistically predicting the occurence and type of a fault on a three phase power transmission line. Additionally, estimations of the steady-state postfault phasor quantities, distance protection and fault location information is provided. Current and voltage data for each phase is processed in two separate Adaptive Kalman Filtering models simultaneously. One model assumes that the phase is unfaulted, while the other model assumes the features of a faulted phase. The condition of the phase, faulted or unfaulted, is then decided from the computed a posteriori probabilities. Upon the secure identification of the condition of the phase, faulted or unfaulted, the corresponding Adaptive Kalman Filtering model continues to obtain the best estimates of the current or voltage state variables. Thus, the Adaptive Kalman Filtering model having the correct initial assumptions adapts itself to the actual condition of the phase faulted or unfaulted.

Abstract: An in-line solder extractor and a tubular heating assembly for use therewith having a tubular tip disposed within the tubular heating assembly a hollow handle, the heater assembly being mounted with respect to the forward portion of the handle a solder collection chamber disposed within the handle, and forward and rearward seals for sealing the forward and rearward ends.

Abstract: A X-Y table is disclosed having a table rotatably mounted on a base for movement in the X-Y and .theta. directions. The device includes fine adjustments in both X and Y directions and a quick shear mechanism with means for automatically returning the table to its original position after the quick shear procedure. The table may be used as a stand above unit or particularly for use in installing and removing components from printed circuit boards.

Abstract: A mounting structure is disclosed including two pairs of spaced apart parallel rails with a longitudinal slot separating each of the pair. A trackway is formed under each pair of rails and a slider is slidable in the trackway and may be connected to a third rail orthogonally mounted on the pairs of rails, by means of a bolt passing through the slider and engaging a nut in a T-shaped slot in the third rail.